49ers Select S Eric Reid

The 49ers traded up to pick No. 18 in the first round to select Louisiana safety Eric Reid.

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t wait long to get the player they wanted. They traded up to pick No. 18 in the first round to select Louisiana State safety Eric Reid.

After a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers moved up 13 spots in the first round to grab the LSU defensive back who totaled 199 tackles and six interceptions in the ultra competitive Southeastern Conference. The 49ers gave Dallas the No. 31 overall selection and the No. 74 overall selection in this year's draft to select Reid at pick No. 18.

Jim Harbaugh recruited Reid, a 6-foot-1, 213-pound safety to Stanford when he coached in college but Reid chose LSU instead. The Geismar, La., native was only recruited by Stanford and LSU. He told reporters he was always going to stay in his home state, but appreciated Harbaugh's interest.

Harbaugh now has a player he’s long coveted to compete for the starting free safety role on the 49ers defense.

"I think I'm a very cerebral player," Reid said moments after the selection. "I'm very fortunate to be on such an incredible defense."

Reid met with Harbaugh and the 49ers at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, but did not visit the team's training facility before the draft. Reid ran a 4.53, 40-yard dash at the combine and added a 40.5-inch vertical jump.

Apparently, the 49ers liked the LSU standout enough to not schedule a follow up visit. They liked him and made the trade to acquire the first-team All-SEC product. Reid totaled 91 tackles, seven pass breakups and two inteceptions as a junior.

The LSU safety was chosen as a first-team All-American according to ESPN.com and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press. Reid started 29 of 39 career games in three seasons.

Reid was twice named to SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2011 and 2012, too.

"This kid is a big, physical safety with great movement skills," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said after the pick was made. "He will be a wonderful complement to Donte Whitner."

Reid is the fifth LSU player to be drafted by the 49ers since 1970 and the 19th safety taken by San Francisco since the NFL's modern era (1970).